Kimberly Braun ’11 Leads the Cast in “A Southern Exposure”

Kimberly Braun, a 2011 theatre honors major from the Gustavus Department of Theatre and Dance, has landed the lead role of Callie Belle Hurt in Kelley Kingston-Strayer’s A Southern Exposure produced and presented at the Iowa Theatre Artists Company. The production opened on November 11 at the Iowa Theatre Artists Company and Performing Arts Center (4709 220th Trail, Amana, Iowa), with performances each weekend through November 27. Additional information regarding times and tickets for the final weekend of the run can be found at the company’s website at Iowa Theatre Artists.

A Southern Exposure is a charming comedy by Kingston-Strayer and is both witty and poignant, while addressing the universal themes of family, love, and loss. As Callie Belle Hurt finds love, she seeks the approval of her grandmother, Hattie, and her two doting and slightly (shall we say) ecentric aunts. But Hattie decides “she ain’t buyin’ what Callie Belle is selling.”  This funny and touching story is about love, sacrifice, and the everlasting bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. In addition to Braun as the approval-seeking Callie Belle in the lead role, the cast of A Southern Exposure features Cherryl Moon Thomason as Hattie, Marty Norton and Meg Merckens as Callie Belle’s aunts.

Founded in 2008, the Iowa Theatre Artists Company is on a mission to provide hands-on education and practical experience for professionals training in the field. In her work with the Company this fall, Braun has assistant stage managed Give My Regards!, The Kitchen Witches, and The Lady With All the Answers and was assistant to the director for Arsenic and Old Lace. A busy fall season followed a busy summer which found her at the St. Croix Festival Theatre (Wisconsin) acting or teaching in Once Upon a Mattress and Seussical The Musical, and performing with the festival’s improv troupe.

The final weekend of performances featuring Kimberly Braun as Callie Belle Hurt in A Southern Exposure includes performances on Friday, November 25 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and the finale on Sunday, November 27 at 1:30 p.m. Ticket reservations can be placed by telephone at 319-622-3222 or by email at itac@southslope.net.